SAO PAULO – Public dissatisfaction with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s administration is growing, with a new poll revealing that a majority of Brazilians now disapprove of his leadership as inflation worries mount ahead of next year’s elections.
The survey, conducted by Quaest and commissioned by brokerage Genial, highlights a decline in Lula’s approval rating, which fell from 47% in January to 41%. Meanwhile, disapproval surged from 49% to 56%, marking the highest disapproval level of his three non-consecutive terms in office. Notably, even in his northeastern political stronghold, support appears to be waning.
Lula, 79, is considering a potential reelection bid, and the poll results suggest that recent government measures aimed at improving public sentiment have yet to yield positive results. Policies such as exempting Brazilians earning up to 5,000 reais ($880) per month from income tax and reducing import taxes on key products to combat food inflation have not significantly shifted public opinion.
“The government’s struggle to reverse disapproval stems largely from economic concerns,” said Quaest director Felipe Nunes. “Higher food prices and rising fuel costs have fueled a perception that purchasing power has declined compared to a year ago.”
Brazil’s annual inflation reached 5.26% in early March, surpassing the central bank’s target range of 1.5%-4.5%, prompting continued monetary policy tightening. Economic pressures remain a key challenge for the government as it navigates political and financial turbulence.
The poll surveyed 2,004 eligible voters in person between March 27 and 31, with a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points.